ECUMENISM AND MISUSE OF THE NAME "CHRISTIAN"
A Christian is simply a follower of the teachings of Jesus Christ.However today that name has been misused by many so called Christian denominations
for their own selfish gain.How can many denominations claim they are one thing ? How can people who have different theologies use a word that suggest one theology ?
Today All major Denominations held a prayer meeting for the coming referendum for the proposed constitution for more http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=65630
.What is interesting is that the Roman Catholic church invited all churches and denominations to gather at their headquarter church in Nairobi Holy Family Basilica.
The prayer meeting,as usual, was turned into a political rally with calls for rejection of the constitution.They declared that they are on " upande wa Jehova " that is the side of Jehova.
However what was most shocking was the Ecumenical tone of the meeting.From the World Council of Churches to the European based National Council of Churches to
Catholics to Pentecostals to Anglicans ad nasuem.They declared that they are ALL CHRISTIANS.But are they ..really ?
They use the name of Jesus alright but they teach teachings of Men, teachings that Jesus hates and calls sin.Jesus told the Pharisee that when they teach
the doctrines of men as God commandments they are sinning , transgressing against God.
Matt 15:1-3
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
Jesus cannot be part of a people that reject his teachings for their own teachings.He is in the midst of those who gather in his name.
By gathering in his name one is saying that they are submitting to his authority and submission to his authority is witnessed when one
walks in his teachings and keeps his sayings.
However these denominations use his name but do not keep his teachings.can he really be in the midst of such disloyalty?
The main issue is the Ecumenical movement is just a movement that unites people when they want and divide them when they want.
When it comes tithes and offerings they love to be divided and want the people to remain in their churches and denominations.
When it comes to politics and they stand a chance of gaining they throw their differences aside for collective gain.
Doctrine and teachings of Jesus are not their concern and all they want is worldly power and wealth which shows where their heart is
These meetings of unity are increasing so as to condition the public to believe that all denominations and people that name Christ are from God when the reverse is true.
Arthur Owiti
Kenyan church 'united in opposing new law'
http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=65630
Written By:Wangari Kanyongo , Posted: Fri, Jul 30, 2010
Caption: John Cardinal Njue hosted the church leaders for prayers at the Holy Family Basilica
The Kenyan church is still united in vehemently opposing the proposed constitution even as the referendum campaigns enter the homestretch ahead of the August 4 referendum.
During an interdenominational national prayer meeting on Friday the clergy representing the mainstream churches in the country however appealed for peace during and after the referendum period.
Five bishops were among the church leaders hosted by the head of the Catholic Church in Kenya John Cardinal Njue at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi in what was seen as a last minute ditch to seek divine intervention ahead of the referendum.
The leaders symbolically signed an accord to pledge their unity in support for the No vote in the forthcoming referendum at the Holy Family Basilica grounds.
The gathering witnessed heightened security amidst growing tension as Yes campaigners jeered the church leaders along City Hall Way just beside the Church grounds.
One of the Yes supporters was quickly whisked away by the watchful security guards when he attempted to disrupt the proceedings.
Among other church leaders who attended the prayers were Bishops David Ogide, Jackson Koskei, Mark Kariuki and Stephen Kanyaru.
The clergy refuted claims of being divided over the constitutional matter saying they have maintained their firm stand against the proposed constitution as one voice.
Anglican Church of Kenya Archbishop Eliud Wabukala said that divisions that now exist could have been avoided had the government heeded religious leaders' calls to revise the proposed law before the referendum.
The clergy insist that their ‘No' stance arose from clauses on the right to life, justice and equality of all religions, and limitation of fundamental rights based on religion.
The group said that although the proposed constitution had a lot of good provisions, that was not enough.
While urging Kenyans to maintain peace during and after the referendum, the church once again called on the government to consider revising the contentious issues and soften its stance saying it was not too late to change.
After failing to access all open areas for their rallies this weekend, the group will be holding parallel rallies at Jamhuri park grounds and in Githurai area on Sunday.
The National Council of Churches in Kenya (NCCK) chairman, Reverend Peter Karanja criticised the government for its attitude towards the opponents of the proposed constitution and the clergy specifically.
"Is it not corruption that the church fraternity is issued with a license to conduct a crusade at Uhuru Park this Sunday and a directive from the City Council revokes it?" he asked.
Cardinal Njue urged Kenyans and politicians to be peaceful and advised the youth to avoid being used by politicians for their own selfish gains and instead make their own choices.
